Springs throws 7 shutout innings, Muncy homers as A’s beat Mariners

Springs throws 7 shutout innings, Muncy homers as A’s beat Mariners By LUKE OLSON Associated Press September 5, 2026 - 9:53 pm SEATTLE — Jeffrey Springs tossed seven shutout innings, Max Muncy homered for the second straight game, and the Athletics defeated the Seattle Mariners 6-2 on Saturday night. Lawrence Butler contributed a two‑run homer, while Henry Bolte and Donovan Walton each recorded an RBI hit, and Geoff Hartlieb and Elvis Alvarado handled the final two innings. The Athletics (57-86) have strung together four consecutive victories, marking their first such streak since June 13. The Athletics are scheduled to relocate to Las Vegas in 2028, opening play at a new ballpark on the Strip. The Mariners (66-77) fell to a season‑worst 11 games under .500, dropping their third straight game to the Athletics. Seattle trails first‑place Houston by seven games in the AL West and sits six games behind Cleveland for the final AL wild‑card berth. Springs (4‑13) rebounded after a difficult August stretch that included a seven‑run outing versus Baltimore on Aug. 30. Entering the game with a 6.37 ERA, the 33‑year‑old surrendered no runs on two hits over seven innings, striking out six and walking two on just 81 pitches. It marked Springs’ first win since April 14. Muncy launched his ninth home run of the season — a 428‑foot solo shot to left field off George Kirby (9‑11). He added an RBI single in the fourth inning to make it 2‑0. Kirby worked six and two‑thirds innings, allowing four runs on seven hits. Butler hit his 13th home run of the year, a drive to left field off Michael Rucker in the eighth inning. Ginn heads to IL The Athletics placed right‑handed starter J.T. Ginn on the 15‑day injured list because of an elbow impingement in his pitching arm. In a corresponding move, right‑hander Jack Perkins was recalled from Triple‑A Las Vegas. Ginn last pitched on Aug. 26, and his next scheduled start was postponed due to fatigue/soreness. Ginn (9‑8), 27, has enjoyed a breakout season with the struggling Athletics. Over 138 ⅓ innings and 24 starts, he owns a 3.71 ERA, 121 strikeouts and 57 walks. He twice flirted with a no‑hitter, including losing one in the ninth inning to the Angels in May. Up next Athletics left‑hander Gage Jump (6‑9, 5.15) is set to face right‑hander Bryan Woo (10‑9, 4.25) in the series finale on Sunday.